Hawaiian Flowers and Their Names: A Guide to Meaningful Blooms

Discover the captivating world of Hawaiian flowers, each with its unique beauty and symbolic meaning. From the vibrant hibiscus to the delicate plumeria, these tropical wonders hold a special place in Hawaiian culture. Explore the names and meanings of these enchanting flowers, enriching your understanding of their significance in traditional ceremonies, art, and everyday life.
1. **Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis):** Known as "Pua Aloalo" in Hawaiian, meaning "beautiful flower," the hibiscus represents beauty, love, and passion. Different colors hold different meanings: red signifies love, yellow symbolizes joy, and white represents purity.
2. **Plumeria (Plumeria rubra):** "Pua Melia" in Hawaiian, the plumeria symbolizes love, beauty, and new beginnings. Its fragrant flowers are often used in leis and are associated with the goddess of flowers, Lei-hua.
3. **Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae):** "Pua 'I'iwi" in Hawaiian, named after the native 'I'iwi bird, the bird of paradise symbolizes joy, freedom, and paradise. Its unique flower shape resembles a bird's head, adding to its allure.
4. **Ginger (Zingiber officinale):** "Awapuhi" in Hawaiian, ginger symbolizes strength, vitality, and good luck. Its fragrant roots and flowers are used in traditional medicine and culinary practices.
5. **Orchid (Orchidaceae):** "Pua 'Olena" in Hawaiian, the orchid represents beauty, refinement, and love. Its intricate flower structure and vibrant colors make it a popular choice for leis and decorations.
6. **Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.):** "Pua 'Ohi'a Lehua" in Hawaiian, the bougainvillea symbolizes passion, love, and enduring beauty. Its colorful bracts, often mistaken for petals, add a vibrant touch to any landscape.
7. **Heliconia (Heliconia spp.):** "Pua 'Ohi'a Lehua" in Hawaiian, the heliconia symbolizes passion, beauty, and abundance. Its striking flower clusters, resembling lobster claws, attract hummingbirds and other pollinators.
8. **Ixora (Ixora spp.):** "Pua 'Ohi'a Lehua" in Hawaiian, the ixora symbolizes love, prosperity, and good fortune. Its vibrant red, orange, and yellow flower clusters are a popular choice for gardens and landscaping.
9. **Rose (Rosa spp.):** "Pua Rose" in Hawaiian, the rose symbolizes love, romance, and beauty. Its diverse colors and fragrances make it a versatile flower for expressing emotions.
10. **Lily (Lilium spp.):** "Pua Lili" in Hawaiian, the lily symbolizes purity, innocence, and rebirth. Its graceful trumpet-shaped flowers are often used in weddings and other celebratory events.
11. **Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus):** "Pua Kale" in Hawaiian, the carnation symbolizes love, gratitude, and affection. Its diverse colors and textures make it a popular choice for bouquets and corsages.
12. **Daisy (Bellis perennis):** "Pua 'Ilima" in Hawaiian, the daisy symbolizes innocence, purity, and new beginnings. Its cheerful blooms are often used in wreaths and other decorative arrangements.
13. **Sunflower (Helianthus annuus):** "Pua Nānue" in Hawaiian, the sunflower symbolizes happiness, joy, and longevity. Its bright yellow petals and large head attract bees and butterflies, adding a cheerful touch to gardens.
14. **Jasmine (Jasminum spp.):** "Pua Lehua" in Hawaiian, jasmine symbolizes love, purity, and grace. Its delicate white flowers release a sweet fragrance that is often used in perfumes and essential oils.
15. **Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides):** "Pua Lehua" in Hawaiian, the gardenia symbolizes love, purity, and elegance. Its fragrant white flowers are often used in leis and are associated with the goddess of flowers, Lei-hua.
16. **Lilac (Syringa vulgaris):** "Pua Lehua" in Hawaiian, the lilac symbolizes love, grace, and innocence. Its fragrant purple flowers are often used in perfumes and are associated with spring and new beginnings.
17. **Violet (Viola spp.):** "Pua Lehua" in Hawaiian, the violet symbolizes love, faithfulness, and humility. Its delicate purple flowers are often used in bouquets and are associated with springtime.
18. **Poppy (Papaver spp.):** "Pua Lehua" in Hawaiian, the poppy symbolizes remembrance, consolation, and sleep. Its vibrant red petals are often used in bouquets and are associated with the poppy fields of Flanders.
19. **Tulip (Tulipa spp.):** "Pua Lehua" in Hawaiian, the tulip symbolizes love, passion, and perfect love. Its vibrant colors and graceful shape make it a popular choice for gardens and bouquets.
20. **Iris (Iris spp.):** "Pua Lehua" in Hawaiian, the iris symbolizes faith, hope, and wisdom. Its delicate flower structure and vibrant colors make it a popular choice for gardens and bouquets.
21. **Water Lily (Nymphaea spp.):** "Pua Lehua" in Hawaiian, the water lily symbolizes purity, beauty, and rebirth. Its delicate flower structure and fragrant blooms are often used in religious ceremonies.
22. **Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera):** "Pua Lehua" in Hawaiian, the lotus symbolizes purity, enlightenment, and spiritual awakening. Its large, elegant flowers are often used in Buddhist and Hindu religious ceremonies.
23. **Magnolia (Magnolia spp.):** "Pua Lehua" in Hawaiian, the magnolia symbolizes nobility, dignity, and perseverance. Its fragrant white flowers are often used in bouquets and are associated with springtime.
24. **Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.):** "Pua Lehua" in Hawaiian, the hydrangea symbolizes gratitude, abundance, and heartfelt emotions. Its large, colorful flower clusters are often used in bouquets and are associated with summer.
25. **Peony (Paeonia spp.):** "Pua Lehua" in Hawaiian, the peony symbolizes prosperity, good fortune, and happiness. Its large, showy flowers are often used in bouquets and are associated with springtime.
26. **Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata):** "Pua Lehua" in Hawaiian, ylang ylang symbolizes love, affection, and joy. Its fragrant yellow flowers are often used in perfumes and are associated with the tropics.
27. **Frangipani (Plumeria spp.):** "Pua Lehua" in Hawaiian, the frangipani symbolizes love, beauty, and new beginnings. Its fragrant white flowers are often used in leis and are associated with the goddess of flowers, Lei-hua.
28. **Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis):** "Pua Aloalo" in Hawaiian, meaning "beautiful flower," the hibiscus represents beauty, love, and passion. Different colors hold different meanings: red signifies love, yellow symbolizes joy, and white represents purity.
29. **Maile (Alyxia oliviformis):** A fragrant vine with small, white flowers, Maile symbolizes love, affection, and good luck. It's often used in leis and other traditional Hawaiian decorations.
30. **'Ilima (Sida fallax):** A small, yellow flower, 'Ilima symbolizes humility, modesty, and friendship. It's frequently woven into leis and is associated with the Hawaiian goddess Laka.
31. **Lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha):** A bright red flower that blooms on the 'Ohi'a tree, Lehua symbolizes love, passion, and strength. It's considered a sacred flower in Hawaiian culture and is often used in ceremonies and celebrations.
32. **Koki'o (Hibiscus kokio):** A rare and endangered tree with bright red flowers, Koki'o symbolizes love, passion, and resilience. It's a symbol of hope and perseverance in Hawaiian culture.
33. **Mokihana (Pelea anisata):** A small, white flower with a strong fragrance, Mokihana symbolizes love, affection, and good luck. It's often used in perfumes and is associated with the Hawaiian goddess Pele.
34. **Ha'a (Gardenia taitensis):** A fragrant white flower, Ha'a symbolizes love, purity, and elegance. It's often used in leis and is associated with the goddess of flowers, Lei-hua.
35. **Pikake (Jasminum sambac):** A small, fragrant white flower, Pikake symbolizes love, grace, and purity. It's often used in leis and perfumes and is associated with the goddess of flowers, Lei-hua.
36. **'Ohi'a Lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha):** A bright red flower that blooms on the 'Ohi'a tree, 'Ohi'a Lehua symbolizes love, passion, and strength. It's considered a sacred flower in Hawaiian culture and is often used in ceremonies and celebrations.
37. **Wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis):** A tree with bright red flowers, Wiliwili symbolizes love, happiness, and good luck. It's a popular choice for landscaping and is associated with the Hawaiian god Lono.
38. **'Ōhi'a 'Ai (Metrosideros collina):** A tree with small, white flowers, 'Ōhi'a 'Ai symbolizes love, purity, and strength. It's a popular choice for landscaping and is associated with the Hawaiian goddess Pele.
39. **Kupukupu (Scaevola taccada):** A small, white flower with a sweet fragrance, Kupukupu symbolizes love, affection, and good luck. It's often used in leis and is associated with the Hawaiian god Lono.
40. **Naio (Myoporum sandwicense):** A small, white flower with a strong fragrance, Naio symbolizes love, affection, and good luck. It's often used in perfumes and is associated with the Hawaiian goddess Pele.